Abstract: An online expert system that can communicate software installation instructions to a remote node through the use of a generic installer executing on the remote node is provided. Embodiments of the online expert system can identify a set of installation instructions configured to install a software product on the remote node, execute the set of installation instructions, record results of the execution of the installation instructions, and, if an error is detected in the results, submit the results for analysis to determine whether a solution to the error is available and execute the solution, if any. Aspects of the online expert system provide for the executing of the installation instructions to include communicating installation-related information to the remote node over a network. Further aspects of the online expert system provide for executing a solution to an error to include communicating solution-related information to the remote node over the network.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for reporting a failure in execution of a software transaction (e.g., scripts and executables to install software on a computer) to a network resource that can then store the error-related information and automatically provide a previously determined solution to the error or links to resources to which the customer can refer for help in resolving the problem is provided. Automatically searching a database of reported errors and their solutions for a variety of products and providing a found solution to a customer experiencing an error (e.g., an installation error) is further provided. In the event that a solution to a customer-experienced error is not found by the network resource, alternate sites for information such as a customer support website can also be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing transactions using verified resource locations is described. In one embodiment, the method for authorizing a transaction request using published location information for at least one resource includes examining relationship data regarding at least one resource to identify at least one publisher computer and at least one subscriber computer, wherein the at least one publisher computer communicates location information for the at least one resource and in response to at least one transaction request from the at least one subscriber computer, comparing the location information with the at least one transaction request to verify at least one resource location.

Abstract: An animated wedding collection system and method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a user to create a wedding collection for a wedding, authenticating the user, and prompting the user to enter wedding information for the wedding. The method further includes generating an electronic wedding message, where the electronic wedding message includes digital animation, and transmitting the electronic wedding message to an invitee. In addition, the method includes selectively sending a paper wedding message to the invitee, where the paper wedding message is similar in appearance to the electronic wedding message, generating an electronic save the date card, transmitting the save the date card to the invitee, generating an electronic place card, and transmitting the electronic place card. The method further includes generating an electronic thank you card, and transmitting the electronic thank you card to an invitee of the wedding.